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Abstract The presence of in-plane chiral effects, hence spin–orbit coupling, is evident in the changes in the photocurrent produced in a TiS 3 (001) field-effect phototransistor with left versus right circularly polarized light. The direction of the photocurrent is protected by the presence of strong spin–orbit coupling and the anisotropy of the band structure as indicated in NanoARPES measurements. Dark electronic transport measurements indicate that TiS 3 is n-type and has an electron mobility in the range of 1–6 cm 2 V −1 s −1 . I – V measurements under laser illumination indicate the photocurrent exhibits a bias directionality dependence, reminiscent of bipolar spin diode behavior. Because the TiS 3 contains no heavy elements, the presence of spin–orbit coupling must be attributed to the observed loss of inversion symmetry at the TiS 3 (001) surface. 

Color centers in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are presently attracting broad interest as a novel platform for nanoscale sensing and quantum information processing. Unfortunately, their atomic structures remain largely elusive and only a small percentage of the emitters studied thus far have the properties required to serve as optically addressable spin qubits. Here, we use confocal fluorescence microscopy at variable temperatures to study a new class of point defects produced via cerium ion implantation in thin hBN flakes. We find that, to a significant fraction, emitters show bright room-temperature emission, and good optical stability suggesting the formation of Ce-based point defects. Using density functional theory (DFT) we calculate the emission properties of candidate emitters, and single out the CeV_Bcenter—formed by an interlayer Ce atom adjacent to a boron vacancy—as one possible microscopic model. Our results suggest an intriguing route to defect engineering that simultaneously exploits the singular properties of rare-earth ions and the versatility of two-dimensional material hosts. 

Abstract Rational design of chiral two‐dimensional hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites is crucial to achieve chiroptoelecronic, spintronic, and ferroelectric applications. Here, an efficient way to manipulate the chiroptoelectronic activity of 2D lead iodide perovskites is reported by forming mixed chiral (R‐ or S‐methylbenzylammonium (R‐MBA⁺or S‐MBA⁺)) and achiral (n‐butylammonium (nBA⁺)) cations in the organic layer. The strongest and flipped circular dichroism signals are observed in (R/S‐MBA_0.5nBA_0.5)₂PbI₄films compared to (R/S‐MBA)₂PbI₄. Moreover, the (R/S‐MBA_0.5nBA_0.5)₂PbI₄films exhibit pseudo‐symmetric, unchanged circularly polarized photoluminescence peak as temperature increases. First‐principles calculations reveal that mixed chiral–achiral cations enhance the asymmetric hydrogen‐bonding interaction between the organic and inorganic layers, causing more structural distortion, thus, larger spin‐polarized band‐splitting than pure chiral cations. Temperature‐dependent powder X‐ray diffraction and pair distribution function structure studies show the compressed intralayer lattice with enlarged interlayer spacing and increased local ordering. Overall, this work demonstrates a new method to tune chiral and chiroptoelectronic properties and reveals their atomic scale structural origins. 

Abstract 2D‐on‐3D (2D/3D) perovskite heterostructures present a promising strategy to realize efficient and stable photovoltaics. However, their applicability in inverted solar cells is limited due to the quantum confinement of the 2D‐layer and solvent incompatibilities that disrupt the underlying 3D layer, hampering electron transport at the 2D/3D interface. Herein, solvent‐dependent formation dynamics and structural evolution of 2D/3D heterostructures are investigated via in situ X‐ray scattering. It is revealed that solvent interaction with the 3D surface determines the formation sequence and spatial distribution of quasi‐2D phases withn= 2–4. Isopropanol (IPA) reconstructs the perovskite into a PbI₂‐rich surface, forming a strata with smallernfirst, followed by a thinner substratum of largern. In contrast, 2,2,2‐Trifluoroethanol (TFE) preserves the 3D surface, promoting the formation of uniformly distributed largerndomains first, and smallernlast. Leveraging these insights, Dion–Jacobson perovskites are used with superior charge transport properties and structural robustness to fabricate 2D/3D heterostructures dominated byn≥ 3 and engineer a favorable energy landscape for electron tunneling. Inverted solar cells based on 3‐Aminomethylpyridine and TFE achieve a champion efficiency of 23.60%, withV_ocand FF of 1.19 V and 84.5%, respectively, and superior stabilities witht₉₄of 960 h under thermal stress. 

Abstract Deciphering the complicated excited-state process is critical for the development of luminescent materials with controllable emissions in different applications. Here we report the emergence of a photo-induced structural distortion accompanied by an electron redistribution in a series of gold nanoclusters. Such unexpected slow process of excited-state transformation results in near-infrared dual emission with extended photoluminescent lifetime. We demonstrate that this dual emission exhibits highly sensitive and ratiometric response to solvent polarity, viscosity, temperature and pressure. Thus, a versatile luminescent nano-sensor for multiple environmental parameters is developed based on this strategy. Furthermore, we fully unravel the atomic-scale structural origin of this unexpected excited-state transformation, and demonstrate control over the transition dynamics by tailoring the bi-tetrahedral core structures of gold nanoclusters. Overall, this work provides a substantial advance in the excited-state physical chemistry of luminescent nanoclusters and a general strategy for the rational design of next-generation nano-probes, sensors and switches.